A sports association in Sønderborg, Denmark, has changed its name from Sønderborg Handicap Idræt to Parasport Sønderborg after 50 years, aiming to modernize its image and attract more young members who find the term “handicap” outdated and off-putting.
Why the Name Change Matters
For half a century, the organization has served citizens with special needs under the name Sønderborg Handicap Idræt. Founded in 1975, the association has built a solid reputation in the community. However, the board realized that the word “handicap” was creating barriers, especially among younger people.
Peter Rathje, chairman of the newly named Parasport Sønderborg, explains that young people often get the wrong impression when they hear “handicap” in the organization’s name. The decision to rebrand took time and courage. After all, changing a well-known name that has existed for more than 50 years is not something any organization does lightly.
A Modern Approach to Inclusive Sports
The new name reflects current language trends around disability and inclusion. In recent years, there has been growing awareness that terminology matters, particularly among youth. According to 2022 data, 19% of 16-29-year-olds in Denmark reported having a disability, double the rate from 2014. Most of this increase stems from mental health-related disabilities.
Parasport is now considered a more contemporary and inclusive term. It better represents the wide range of sports activities the organization offers to citizens with special needs. The name change aligns with broader shifts in how Danish society talks about disability and support services.
More Than Just a Name
The rebranding is part of a larger development strategy. Parasport Sønderborg plans to introduce new sports and expand its membership base. Attracting more members and volunteers is a key goal going forward.
Board member Tine Jørgensen emphasizes that volunteers are essential for the organization’s survival and growth. Without volunteers, Parasport Sønderborg cannot exist or continue developing. For example, the association is launching a new Para floorball team in April, but this is only possible if enough volunteers step forward to help.
What Parasport Sønderborg Offers
The organization provides a diverse menu of sports activities tailored to people with special needs. Members can participate in bowling, snooker, showdown (a sport designed for blind and visually impaired individuals), shooting, strength training, swimming, warm water swimming, tandem cycling, and warm water swimming for children.
Currently, Parasport Sønderborg has 108 members and 21 volunteers. The organization hopes that the new name will help attract younger participants who might have been put off by the old terminology.
Growing Demand for Disability Support
The name change comes at a time when demand for disability support services is rising across Denmark. In 2023, 11,900 children and young people under 18 received a total of 14,100 disability-compensating interventions under the Service Act. This represents 1% of all children and youth in that age group and marks an increase of 1,600 recipients compared to 2022.
These figures do not include supports provided under daycare or school laws, so the actual number of young people receiving some form of assistance is likely higher. The most common intervention is relief or respite for parents, accounting for 51.8% of total interventions.
Challenges Facing Youth with Disabilities
Young people with disabilities face significant barriers in education and employment. In 2022, 24% of 16-29-year-olds with disabilities were not in employment, education, or training, compared to just 7% of their peers without disabilities. This 17 percentage point gap highlights ongoing systemic challenges.
Around 45,000 youth aged 15-24 are not engaged in education or employment overall. At least 40% of them, over 18,000 individuals, have disabilities. Half of these young people had attempted youth education programs but dropped out due to inflexible systems.
Declining Support Services
Despite stable rates of severe disabilities, personal helper schemes for those under 24 have declined sharply. The number dropped from 122 in 2017 to just 62 in 2022, a 49% decrease. Overall helper orders fell 22% from 1,890 in 2017 to 1,473 in 2021.
This decline risks increasing isolation for youth who rely on such assistance. It also underscores why youth advocacy for modern, less stigmatizing language around disability matters. As community ties boost quality of life in Denmark, organizations like Parasport Sønderborg play an important role in fostering inclusion and connection.
Looking Ahead
Parasport Sønderborg’s decision to modernize its name reflects broader conversations happening across Danish society about language, inclusion, and accessibility. For Peter Rathje and his team, the goal is clear: make their organization more welcoming to young people who want to participate in sports but might have been discouraged by outdated terminology.
As the organization introduces new sports and seeks to expand its volunteer base, the hope is that Parasport will resonate better with the next generation. The challenge now is ensuring that the name change translates into real growth in membership and volunteer support.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Community Ties Boost Quality of Life in Denmark, Study Finds
DR: Ordet handicap klinger forkert i de unges ører, mener formand
